Over the past few decades, Vermont has earned a reputation for its idyllic landscapes, environmental stewardship, and progressive policies. But behind this veneer lies a troubling reality: an economy battered by housing shortages, soaring taxes, crime, addiction, and a declining workforce. While the state’s legislature often defends its decisions as being “for the greater good,” the outcomes suggest either gross incompetence or deliberate disregard for the long-term well-being of Vermonters. This begs the question: is the state inadvertently waging economic warfare on its own residents?

The Case for Misfeasance

Misfeasance refers to the improper execution of a lawful act. Many of Vermont’s policies likely began with noble intentions, such as protecting the environment, preserving rural character, and fostering sustainability. Take Act 250, for instance, a landmark land-use law enacted in 1970 to manage growth and protect natural resources. While its goals were laudable, its rigid application over time has become a major barrier to housing and economic development.

The housing crisis is perhaps the most glaring example of misfeasance. Decades of restrictive zoning laws, onerous permitting processes, and anti-development attitudes have created a severe shortage of affordable homes. This has driven up prices, forced young families and workers to leave the state, and contributed to population stagnation. The legislature has had countless opportunities to address these issues but has largely failed to act, either out of fear of political backlash or an inability to grasp the broader economic consequences.

Similarly, Vermont’s high tax burden—a perennial complaint among residents—stems from a desire to fund social programs and infrastructure. However, the state’s over-reliance on taxation, coupled with a shrinking workforce, has pushed many middle- and lower-income residents to the brink. These policies, while not malicious in intent, demonstrate a profound lack of foresight and an unwillingness to adapt to changing circumstances.

The Case for Malfeasance

Malfeasance, on the other hand, implies intentional wrongdoing or the deliberate misuse of power. While it’s easy to dismiss Vermont’s economic woes as a series of well-meaning mistakes, a closer look at the legislature’s patterns of behavior raises uncomfortable questions.

For instance, the continued enforcement of policies that disproportionately benefit entrenched interests—such as environmental advocacy groups and well-connected industries—at the expense of working families and small businesses suggests more than mere negligence. By prioritizing the preservation of ideological goals over practical solutions, the legislature has knowingly exacerbated inequality and economic hardship for ordinary Vermonters.

Take the Global Warming Solutions Act and the Clean Heat Standard as examples. While marketed as steps toward sustainability, these policies place heavy financial burdens on residents and small businesses without offering viable alternatives. The Clean Heat Standard, in particular, could dramatically increase heating costs for rural Vermonters who rely on fuel oil or propane, forcing them to shoulder the costs of compliance. Meanwhile, wealthier households and larger organizations, better equipped to adapt, avoid the brunt of these measures. Concerns about affordability and regional disparities have largely been dismissed, leaving working-class communities to deal with the fallout.

The opioid crisis further illustrates the legislature’s failure—or unwillingness—to address systemic issues. Vermont has one of the highest per-capita rates of opioid addiction in the country, with devastating consequences for public health, law enforcement, and the economy. Despite some efforts to expand treatment programs, the state has done little to tackle the root causes of addiction, such as poverty, unemployment, and lack of opportunity. When harm becomes predictable and is still ignored, the line between misfeasance and malfeasance begins to blur.

Rising Crime and Social Decline

Adding to the economic strain is Vermont’s rising crime rate, which is often tied to the drug epidemic and economic distress. Small businesses and residents alike bear the brunt of property crimes, theft, and violence, which erode community stability and deter investment. Instead of addressing these challenges head-on, the legislature has implemented policies that some argue further fuel the problem. The combination of lenient sentencing laws and inadequate support for law enforcement has left many communities feeling abandoned.

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The Economic Warfare Parallel

While Vermont’s policies may not constitute economic warfare in the traditional sense—intentional actions designed to cripple an adversary’s economy—their effects bear an uncanny resemblance. By creating insurmountable barriers to housing and business development, overburdening residents with taxes, and failing to address crime and addiction effectively, the legislature has placed the state’s economy under siege.

The term “economic warfare” may seem harsh, but the reality is that Vermont’s policies have left many residents feeling as though they are in a prolonged state of economic hardship. Small businesses struggle to survive under a mountain of regulations, families are priced out of the housing market, and young people see little choice but to leave the state in search of opportunity. The cumulative effect is a steady erosion of prosperity and quality of life—a hallmark of economic warfare, whether intentional or not.

Misfeasance or Malfeasance?

Ultimately, the distinction between misfeasance and malfeasance lies in intent. If Vermont’s legislators genuinely believe they are acting in the public’s best interest but consistently fail to deliver, their actions fall under misfeasance. However, if they are knowingly perpetuating policies that harm the majority while benefiting a select few, malfeasance becomes a more plausible explanation.

The answer may lie somewhere in between. Decades of poor planning, ideological rigidity, and resistance to change suggest a mix of incompetence and willful neglect. Whether driven by misguided idealism or deliberate prioritization of elite interests, the result is the same: a state in economic decline, with its residents paying the price.

Conclusion

Vermont’s legislature may not see itself as waging economic warfare on its people, but the impact of its decisions tells a different story. Whether through misfeasance or malfeasance, the state’s policies have left too many Vermonters struggling to make ends meet. The time has come for lawmakers to reckon with the consequences of their actions and to prioritize the prosperity of all residents—not just the privileged few. Anything less would be a continued betrayal of the people they claim to serve.

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Dave Soulia | FYIVT

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